The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-09-22


account for the enduring nature of these
recolIections as l weave them together.
I paused at the preceding paragraph
three hours ago, and took my hat and over
coat-for it is stormy October highland
went to Mostyn, as the Hildreth's home
is called. Mrs. Bristowe's visit draws to
close. She has a father staying with
friends in southern cathedral city, and
she has but fulfilled an old promise by thus
invading the Fen country. Parent and
daughter return simultaneously, or as near
ly as they can contrive it, to their London
residence. Further delay on my part might
have been disastrous. By which hint
have perhaps revealed that do not write
as a disappointed man. Yet there was
hazard and uncertainty.
Mrs Hildreth had more than a suspicion
of my errand, and contrived, with womanly
dexterity, to leave Margaret and me to
tete-a tete, a service for which l shall ever
owe my partners wife debt OF gratitude.
Hildreth was attending old Sir Lucas Gan
n;thorne at Gamble Manor for gout. had
counted upon this; though, had he been at
home, my friend and colleague, l make no
doubt, would have caught a peculiar
twinkle in his wife's eyes-or have prac-
ticed the art of divination for himself-and
have remembered neglected call.
lam not going to enter into details. Let
it suffice that l offered my hand to Mrs.
Bristowe-my heart was hers already-and
was refused. But she admitted that to
some extent she reciprocated my feelings
of regard and affection; whereupon l
plucked up courage to inquire into the rea-
sons OF her decision.
During the course Of the conversation
| that ensued between US, it was borne in
upon me more and more that Margaret was
the girl who had suffered so crushing
discontinue in the jewelers. shop st Rem
ford. / was determined in some way to
have this question resolved before wishing
her farewell. But she forestalled my pur-
pose.
"Our acquaintance has been agreeable to
me Also confess" sne said. "Have you
any idea, Mr. Bruton, that it was not in this
room that we met-or rather were thrown
into accidental proximity for the first or
the second timea'
Istarted at these last words. Was Mar
garet the yelled lady of the railway plat
forml 81 must acknowledge that am pre-
| pared to hear it," / answered. Our eyes
met and there was the bond henceforth Of
mutual understanding between US. Bat
how full OF hopeless pain was Margarets
glancel And then, bit by bit, she confided
to me the story, which, in her view, consti-
tuted an insurmountable obstacle in the
path of my happiness. She had prodigal
| brother, who had only escaped condign
punishment for his misdemeanors by op-
perfume disappearance The burden Of
vicarious shame lay heavy on her soul, and
she most resolutely purposed to bear the
| load alone.
ave know nothing Of Jacks where
abouts or mode of life now," she said !;
''and it is my daily dread that some new
disgrace may yet come upon US. will not
expose another to this irksome risk"
My temerity surely transgressed the
bounds of courtesy. "But you married
Mr.. Bristowei'' said.
The delicate oval features were mantled
with vivid blush, and l construed the
sign as chiefly one of anger. 1t had very
different, and, for me, less awkward ex-
PLANTATION.
"Poor Dick! 1 will not say one harsh
word of him." she nurmured. "But-I did
not-girl as 1 was-care for Dick as a
woman ought to care for the man she mar
ries. He was my fathers choice for me !;
and he had knowledge of my brothers
escapades, which we wished buried in ST.
| lence."
Sand you were the sacrifice"
There was no denial. "If Jack would
come home and reform, father would for
| give him even the affair of the Jewels. You
saw me try to sell the sham ones, wicGedly
and cleverly put in the place of the real
gems" Margaret murmured. "It was a
cruel trick, for money was wanted then.
Father was i'll, and there were Jacks other
defalcations to make up. 1 thought l saw
my brother once in uniform, as a common
soldier; but probably was mistaken. 1t
was at a railway station"
"And 1 was there, too"
"Yesn
| 1t was the opportunity for giving an &c
count Of private Eastleigh and of his re-
quest; and in voice consciously vibrating g
with excitement, l unburdened myself of
the recollection. Allthe color fed from my
| loves face.
'Dick the guilty one! ANDY we both were
blindedl
"But, Mrs. Bristowe, can you be certain
of this soldiers identityl"
81 think so," Margaret answered. east
| leigh was nv mothers maiden name; it
was natural for Jack to assume that. But,
oh, tell me-what became of himl''
Suspense approaching agony was in the
| tones. Jack Raine was loved still in spite
| of his faults. hastened to relieve the ten
sisn.
HE was much better the next morning,
and believe recovered" said. "But he
was not properly in my charge. 1 had
duties elsewhere; and l have not seen him
since. But it is nearly a certainty that you
saw him on the occasion you have men,
! toned. II find him for you, and there is
q reconciliation and Jack makes good his
statement of innocence, of which l have
no doubt-will you then grant me my de-
sire, Margaretr'
Sweetest Of monosyllables was my girls
| low Eyes"
| Postscript, ayear after, by Mrs. Margaret
Bruton: Amongst some old papers that
Frank has brought from his den in Great
Gamble High street to our nest, so prettily
named W oodbne Villa, there was the above
Frank says that as far as he is concerned it
is a complete and veracious history, ending
as he had suggested it might, with my reply
to a certain question. Veracious it may be,
but complete it certainly is not. But he is
obstinate, and refuses to add single line
of sequel. There is a spare half-page. how
ever, and an tolling to make good Franks
indolent neglect.
private Eastleigh was indeed nv long
lost brother. Frank had very little difficulty
in finding him, knowing SO well in what
quarter to apply. Jack was ignorant of my
first marriage and of his cousin Dicks
death. 1t seemed that pride and mistaken
| notion that nv fathers resentment was i'm
placable, kept him from communicating
with US. He has now made it very clear
that he was rather siuned against than sim